# XVI explained — The Son of Tarzan > Chapter companion for The Son of Tarzan by Edgar Rice Burroughs. ## What happens Meriem adapts to civilized life with Bwana and My Dear, learning English and French while secretly yearning for Korak. A head man's failed search for Korak deepens her sorrow, but she gradually accepts her new life. She rescues a tethered kid from a lion, showcasing her jungle skills. Visitors arrive, stirring her curiosity about the outside world. ## Themes in this chapter ### Identity and Belonging Meriem transitions from a savage jungle girl to a civilized young woman, grappling with her dual identity and longing for Korak. ### Civilization vs. Savagery Meriem's civilized training contrasts with her innate jungle instincts, as seen when she discards her riding clothes to rescue the kid. ### Love and Sacrifice Meriem's enduring love for Korak and her willingness to risk her life to save the tethered kid reflect themes of sacrifice. ## Character check-ins ### Meriem Adapts to civilized life, learns English and French, still mourns Korak, and rescues a tethered kid from a lion. ### Bwana Meriem's benefactor; sends a head man to search for Korak and dissuades Meriem from searching herself. ### Lady Greystoke Referred to as 'My Dear'; teaches Meriem English, French, and civilized customs, and grows to love her. ### Korak Meriem's lost companion; believed by Bwana to be a figment of her imagination, but Meriem remains loyal and hopeful. ### Kovudoo Old chieftain whose village is deserted when Bwana's head man arrives to investigate Meriem's past. ## Key lines > To Meriem, in her new home, the days passed quickly. At first she was all anxiety to be off into the jungle searching for her Korak. Meriem's days in her new home flew by, though initially she was eager to venture into the jungle to find Korak. _Highlights Meriem's initial restlessness and longing for Korak._ > Bwana was more than fully convinced that Korak was a creature of the girl's disordered imagination. Bwana believed Korak was a figment of Meriem's imagination due to her traumatic experiences. _Shows Bwana's skepticism about Meriem's story._ > My Dear took not only a deep interest in the little jungle waif because of her forlorn and friendless state, but grew to love her as well for her sunny disposition and natural charm of temperament. My Dear became deeply attached to Meriem, initially out of pity but soon due to her cheerful and charming nature. _Illustrates the growing bond between Meriem and My Dear._ > She varied the instruction with lessons in sewing and deportment, nor once did she let Meriem guess that it was not all play. My Dear taught Meriem sewing and manners in a playful way, without letting her realize it was formal education. _Describes My Dear's gentle teaching methods._ > The report of the head man plunged Meriem into a period of despondency, for he had found the village of Kovudoo deserted nor, search as he would, could he discover a single native anywhere in the vicinity. The head man's news that Kovudoo's village was empty and no natives were found left Meriem deeply depressed. _Meriem's hope of finding Korak is dashed._ > Meriem at first insisted upon setting forth herself in search of Korak, but Bwana prevailed upon her to wait. Meriem initially wanted to search for Korak herself, but Bwana convinced her to be patient. _Bwana's influence over Meriem's decisions._ > My Dear was delighted. She was lonely and childless, and so she lavished upon this little stranger all the mother love that would have gone to her own had she had one. My Dear, being lonely and without children, gave Meriem all the maternal affection she would have given her own child. _My Dear's maternal feelings for Meriem._ > Meriem spoke English fluently now, and read and wrote it as well. Meriem had become fluent in English, both spoken and written. _Meriem's linguistic progress._ > To her surprise Meriem replied in the same tongue—slowly, it is true, and haltingly; but none the less in excellent French, such, though, as a little child might use. Meriem surprised My Dear by responding in French, albeit slowly and with a childlike simplicity. _Meriem's unexpected ability in French._ > Meriem was all expectancy. What would these strangers be like? Would they be as nice to her as had Bwana and My Dear, or would they be like the other white folk she had known—cruel and relentless. Meriem eagerly anticipated the visitors, wondering if they would be kind like Bwana and My Dear or cruel like other whites she had encountered. _Meriem's mixed feelings about meeting new people._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se/chapters/xvi - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_son_of_tarzan_se/chapters